An inspection of the premises found gas bottles stored in the cellar and a cooking range which had been leaking gas.

Following the Magistrates Court hearing a senior environmental health officer for Preston City Council Jonathan Cruickshank said: “Due to timely interventions with our partner organisations, fortunately no-one was injured. If the illegal gas works had not been found it is likely that the consequences could have been a fire or explosion that could have seriously injured or killed staff and members of the public.”